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Celebrating Halloween in Alexandria

Halloween is celebrated with a variety of family-friendly festivities all over Alexandria. The City of Alexandria does not set official trick-or-treating hours for Halloween, so expect the children in your neighborhood to head out for trick-or-treating on the day it is traditionally celebrated - October 31.

Watch the video to learn more about Halloween safety from Alexandria Police

Stay Safe

Alexandria Police will be out to make sure trick-or-treaters have a safe Halloween night by enforcing violations involving speeding, stop signs and pedestrian cross walks during the evening. Follow these safety tips to help keep your child safe on Halloween:

Children should:

Go only to well-lit houses and remain on porches rather than entering houses.

Travel in small groups and be accompanied by an adult.

Know their phone number and carry cell phones for emergency telephone calls.

Have their names and addresses attached to their costumes.

Bring treats home before eating them so parents can inspect them.

Use costume knives and swords that are flexible, not rigid or sharp.

Parents and adults should:

Supervise the outing for children under age 12.

Establish a curfew (a return time) for older children.

Prepare homes for trick-or-treaters by clearing porches, lawns, and sidewalks and by placing jack-o-lanterns away from doorways and landings.

Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys as treats to young children.

Inspect all candy for safety before children eat it.

Parents and adults should ensure the safety of pedestrian trick-or-treaters

Make sure children under age 10 are supervised as they cross the street.

Drive slowly.

Watch for children in the street and on medians.

Exit driveways and alleyways carefully.

Have children get out of cars on the curb side, not on the traffic side.

When walking in neighborhoods:

Use flashlights, stay on sidewalks, and avoid crossing yards.

Cross streets at the corner, use crosswalks (where they exist), and do not cross between parked cars.

Stop at all corners and stay together in a group before crossing.

Wear clothing that is bright, reflective, and flame retardant.

Consider using face paint instead of masks. (Masks can obstruct a child's vision.)

Make Your Halloween "Green"

Set a spooky mood with soy or beeswax candles, not those made from petroleum-based paraffin. If you like scented candles, look for ones with fragrances derived from essential oils rather than synthetic chemicals.

Invest creativity instead of cash in your costume. Dig into the back of the closet (yours or a friend's) or hit the thrift store to find wacky clothes and accessories instead of buying plastic costumes. Need inspiration? The
Green Guide and
Care2 have clever do-it-yourself ideas that can be great projects for adults and kids (You can make your own decorations too).

Avoid masks made out of vinyl. Latex ones are safer, unless you're allergic to the material.

Whether for dressing up or handing out, avoid costume jewelry, especially glossy, fake painted pearls and toys from vending machines, both of which may contain lead. There were almost 30 recalls of lead-containing children's products this year, so use a LeadCheck kit if you're unsure about a toy your child already owns.

Look up some recipes for pumpkin pie, soup, or curry so your decoration doesn't go to waste after Halloween (Not much of a chef? Compost that jack-o-lantern, at least).